A BALLARAT man caught in possession of child pornography during an international operation was spared a jail sentence yesterday.
Alistair Cato of Redan received a two-year community based order and will also be listed on the sex offenders registry for 15 years.
The 29-year-old who suffers from a mental illness was arrested after emailed exchanges with a covert police operation in the United States.
Cato was detected after creating a number of postings on an Internet news group site devoted to child sex and paedophile interests.
A police search at his home in November revealed 22 computer images of primary school-aged girls in sexual activity with adult men.
His Internet browser also revealed an extensive history of child pornography.
Defence counsel Helen Spowart told the Ballarat Magistrates Court on June 18 that Cato suffered paranoid schizophrenia and was depressed at the time and was remorseful.
His mother also described Cato as "still very much a child" and said he was no longer allowed Internet access.
Cato pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing child pornography and using an online information service to publish child pornography.
Magistrate Bernard Coburn said the charges were serious, but Cato was not at risk of reoffending.
He said Cato was not a fit subject for general deterrence and still lived in supported accommodation while relying on Centrelink for financial support.